Colorful Flavors Abound at Solano County Eateries

The Cowboy Pizza is a favorite from Dixon’s Papa Murphy’s. Photo via: papamurphys.com.

Papa Murphy’s Dixon

DIXON – There’s nothing like a fresh baked hot pizza when the mood strikes, and Papa Murphy’s in Dixon offers just that. Their take-n-bake pizzas are made fresh and cooked piping hot in your own oven or even your BBQ grill.

There’s something for everyone with notable menu items such as Signature Pizzas,  Gourmet Delite Pizzas, stuffed pizzas, salads and cookie dough.

Perfect for entertaining, your take-n-bake can be refrigerated up to 24 hours or with a bit of special prep from the Papa Murphy’s team, you can even order a pizza 21 days ahead of time and freeze it.

If summer makes it too hot to bake a pizza at home in the kitchen, have fun grilling it on your charcoal, gas or wood pellet grill.

Order in person at 105 E. Dorset Drive, Ste. C in Dixon, by phone at (707) 693-6600 or online at papamurphys.com.


Camarones Al Ajillo, from the Fortress Restaurant and Lounge, Vacaville. Photo via: Yelp/Hannah C.

The Fortress Restaurant and Lounge

VACAVILLE – Downtown Vacaville’s newest addition to the restaurant and bar scene offers plates and drinks with traditional Puerto Rican flair in a colorful environment.

We tried the Empanadillas for an appetizer, the Chuleta Frita (Pork Chop) and Camerones Al Ajillo (Marinated Shrimp) for our main course. Our delicious meals were served with a choice of white or Puerto Rican rice, baked beans with pepper and mango, mofongo (plantains), and fresh avocado slices.

For dessert we couldn’t pass up the mouthwatering Budin de Pan (pina colada bread pudding with caramel rum sauce and ice cream) & a fresh made guava glazed cheesecake.

The Fortress is located at 547 Main St., in Downtown Vacaville. Phone (707)724-8118 for dinner reservations, (707)290-8766 for Club, VIP & Bottle Service, or online at fortressrestaurantandlounge.com.


The Gyro Platter from Q’s Halal in Fairfield. Photo via: Yelp/Kyle B.

Q’s Halal Mediterranean Comfort Food

FAIRFIELD – What started with two bustling and thriving restaurants, one in Downtown Alameda and & the other on Richmond’s San Pablo Ave., turned into three busy local favorites, when father and son partners, Chef Sam and Q opened their third location in Fairfield in 2016.

Q’s Halal has expertly taken old world recipes and fused them with new world tastes and in turn have created a delicious menu with a variety of appetizers, salads, burgers, wraps, main entrées, sides, and desserts.

Comfort foods such as Chicken and Lamb Gyros make great lunch choices and I highly suggest trying the Philly variations. Tasty main dishes, gyro bowls and salads are also delicious menu options.

Q’s Halal is located in Fairfield at 3344 N. Texas St. For catering or phone orders call (707) 419-5571, or order online at qhalal.com.


Tandoori Chicken Pizza from Chicago Pizza with a Twist in Fairfield. Photo via: Yelp/Gabriel C.

Chicago’s Pizza With A Twist

FAIRFIELD – If  you like Chicago-style pizza, you’ll find the menu here filled with traditional combinations, ingredients and toppings.

So, what’s the twist? We set out to find—and discovered— delicious specialty pizzas with Indian influenced ingredients. Flavorful choices such as Chicken Tikka Masala, Tandoori Veggie, Curry Paneer, Butter Chicken Pizzas, and more, are available.

More “twists” were on the menu such as the Three Idiots Pizza, a combination of BBQ, garlic and spicy chicken, and a Cheeseburger Pizza.

To round out your meal, order up some traditional (or Indian) appetizers. They also serve wings,  calzones, pasta, salads and don’t forget the ice cream pizza cookie!

Dine in at 870 E. Travis Blvd., in Fairfield, order ahead or for pick-up by calling (707) 428-1700, or online at chicagospizzafairfield.com.


Michelle Trippi writes “Tastes of Your Town”, a monthly feature in the print edition of Your Town Monthly. This article was originally published in the April 2018 Solano and Yolo County Print Editions.